CBS to develop Candy Crush TV gameshow series

CBS has ordered a new, one hour live action game show series based on the hit mobile game franchise Candy Crush.

CBS, Lionsgate and King, the game’s developer, will join forces to develop the new format game show, developed by Matt Kunitz.

Inspired by the classic Candy Crush gameplay in which players match coloured candies to win points, the new game show will challenge two players to use their wits and physical agility to compete on an interactive game board.

The game board will feature next generation technology through which players will conquer Candy Crush to be crowned the champions.

The show will be distributed domestically by CBS Television Distributiojn and internationally by Lionsgate with a host to be announced in the coming weeks.

Candy Crush Saga and its sister title Candy Crush Soda Saga have become two of the top ten grossing mobile games in the US with an average of 18 billion game rounds played every month around the world.

“We are huge fans of Candy Crush and, like so many others, we know the rush of advancing to the next level of the game,” said Glenn Geller, president, CBS Entertainment.

“We’re excited to work with Lionsgate and King to adapt one of the world’s most popular and entertaining game franchises for television and make it available to its massive, passionate fan base who can watch and play along at home.”

Kevin Beggs, chairman of Lionsgate Television Group, added: “The Candy Crush franchise is a world renowned property, so when the head of our interactive and games division, Peter Levin, brought this IP to Lionsgate, we instantly knew it would make an incredibly visual, physical and fun TV programme.

“CBS is a leader in unscripted television, which makes it the ideal home for Candy Crush, and we’re very happy to have Matt shepherding the production as we partner with the team at King on this series with the tremendous second-screen potential.”

Sebastian Knutsson, chief creative officer, King and executive producer of Candy Crush, concluded: “The Candy Crush franchise has been loved by players around the world on mobile, so it’s very exciting to be working with Matt and the team to bring the fun and challenge of the Candy Crush games to television.

“We hope our players will be entertained by what is set to be a high energy, challenging game show."